Spring Thrift - Week 1

I can't remember the last time I went thrifting, which is quite a change from my once habit of going every week.  With a busy work schedule and seemingly something always coming up, it's been hard to find the time.  On Wednesday the sun was shining and warm, I had the day off, and my sister-in-law is in town visiting... there couldn't have been a better opportunity.  I lucked out on my first major score of the season, picking up some new Spring bedding, two pairs of Italian leather shoes, an Easter basket and decorative bowl, some vintage pyrex,  and this delight of a set you see above.  I was intitally on the fence about it, but then my enthusiastic three year old insisted it was "really cool" and the colors were "pretty".  It's official - I can't go anywhere without him.

Getting Festive

We took some time this weekend to put out our holiday decorations.  After my husband brought in the Christmas tote from storage, my son showed a serious interest in how things should be displayed; I basically followed his requests as to where to put the lights, garlands and tree ornaments.  Since everything we used is from last year we ended up with a sort of funky bohemian look that feels fun and offbeat in a juvenile way.  Letting my son take the lead when it comes to things like this really takes the pressure off me to make everything 'perfect'.  I also like that he finds so much more joy in anything we do when he's allowed to be creative and participate.   We still have yet to pick up our tree, and I'm looking forward to his suggestions on decorating that as well.

 - pleased with his work -

Room for Color 2011

 

Room For Color 2011 contest is going on over here, and so far these are my favorite entries.  I love seeing what people do with their personal spaces and always come away so inspired by all the creativity.

 

Front Room Redo

Every three months or so I like to rearrange the furniture in our front room.  It gives me an opportunity to take care of dust bunnies and the change just feels good.  The last time I did this I found an arrangement I really liked, and things stayed the same for over six months.  Honestly I had no plans to try anything new for awhile, that is until my husband asked me to do something different.  He was beginning to feel cramped, and truth be told once he brought it up I had to agree.  So my son and I spent the day pushing and pulling, lifting and dusting until everything was in it's new place.  Now it feels more open and airy, which is so much better than cramped and cluttered.

We bought this sofa 10 years ago as a wedding gift; it's probably time for a new one.  The green chair I've had since high school.

This mid-century dresser was found in a second-hand furniture shop in our old neighborhood; it's one of my favorite pieces.

This plant is perfect for me; I cannot kill it.  The stack of books behind the plant are a gift from my aunt- learning books for my son.

I love my books.

All the wall art is from thrift, vintage, or second hand shops.  The one in the middle was found at a dollar store ten years ago.

Farmhouse table we use as a desk found on Craigslist.

I guess I really like this color combo.

My son's elephant found a new home among precious photos.